MLP, GWU mark Freedom Day

ALBERT FENECH

Mar 30th 2008, 22:41

Mr. Scerri, I can assure you that in the hearts of MLP supporters, Mintoff is still the doyen, the father and the founder. Alas, nobody is perfect and together with a multitude of historic achievements, he also had his weak moments. Rather than retiring as the reveried elder stateman he wanted to continue to exercise his penchant for dominance and control and didn't know when to let go. That is the strife that has shackled the Labour movement since 1996. However, have no qualms. Mintoff was and is the supreme stateman of Maltese politics and he will always be.

JOHN SCERRI

Mar 30th 2008, 20:57

To all Maltese citizens who were present on the 31st March 1979 enjoying a new page in Malta's great history , and hailed Dom Mintoff as Malta's Savour, I say :
You Praise this Stateman today in your comments , yet you were lead to believe he is Malta's trator.
Dom. Mintoff is still alive and if you really respect this person, who is Maltese just like you are, you should do your best to see that within the Party which he created after all , he will still be considered as one of the best leaders of one of the biggest movements in our country.
The Maltese and MLP needed him and he gave his share , now it is time for his supporters to return their share before it is too late.
I hope the new leadership in MLP will recognise this.

ALBERT FENECH

Mar 30th 2008, 20:40

Shamdependence was gained in 1964 by a weak and ineffectual Maltese Government that was saddled with the onerous burden of internally managing the economy whilst the British Government and NATO continued to rule over every foreign policy decision. All telecommunications, air and sea traffic control, main systems of banking and the best parts of Malta remained firmly under British control in exchange for an annual pittance. Some Independence indeed. Mintoff changed things rapidly from 1971 onwards, gaining millions of Malta liri for the Maltese economy, making telecommunications and air and sea traffic control Maltese and removing every kind of foreign interference. Mintoff was also the first European politician to realise the forthcoming economic might of China and carried out a state visit there even before American President Richard Nixon got on the act. No matter the extent of twisting of the facts can actually alter the true facts. Ask any foreign politician about their knowledge of Maltese politics and the first name they will mention will be Duminku Mintoff.

Alfred Farrugia

Mar 30th 2008, 20:24

Why did the MLP celebrate Freedom Day a day early? Why do they have to act unilaterally?

If there is a day when the MLP and the PN could be on the same page and celebrate together, it is certainly Freedom Day.

Freedom Day could not have happened if Independence Day had not occurred before.

But Freedon Day should not be underestimated. We shall never know if Malta's Financial and Military agreements would have been renewed in 1974, if the NP had won the 1971 elections.

But the fact is that the British military base in Malta was closed down for good in 1979. Not an insignificant achievement.

We only need to look at the island of Cyprus to realize the contributions of Dr. George Borg Olivier and Mr. Dom Mintoff on our country's developments.

48 years after their independence, the Cypriots are still lumped with the British sovereign military bases which did nothing to prevent the coup by the Greek junta and the invasion by Turkey in 1974.

Fortunately, we had the right political leaders at the appropriate times that led our country to real sovereignty without bloodshed.

Joseph E Briffa

Mar 30th 2008, 19:31

Mr Camilleri..I agree with you 100%...Had we not gained independence in 1964 when G Borg Olivier was PM, Mintoff would not have been able to negotiate with the British government on the renting of parts of Malta to the British forces between 1974 and 1979. Furthermore Mintoff first wanted integration with Britain and it was only when he wasn't successful that he changed his mind to independence. So effectively, Freedom Day as the 31 March is known, does not really have much significance; simply the withdrawal of British troops from Malta as scheduled in the agreement. The British troops were not here on sufferance: they were making a contribution to Malta's economy and relations between them and the Maltese were excellent.

PHILIP BORG

Mar 30th 2008, 19:19

Mr Albert Fenech graciously reminded me of that great historic event at which i was present amidts huge throngs of people who flocked to Birgu and Bormla that night!

However i still recall the independence events of 1964 when i was dragged together with the rest of my school to a huge British military parade ground. I recall how - even as schoolchildren - we could never understand why the 'independent" Maltese government had to be seek the British Forces' permission to use their grounds for the celebrations!

The interlying period between 1964 and 1979 was eloquent enough with events to make us all understand fully the difference between a celebrative function and a historic reality. I recall how history is made of facts in which statesmen are involved. I recall the enormous support and admiration Mr Mintoff earned from Italy's Aldo Moro, Germany's Willy Brandt, Austria's Bruno Kreisky and so many international leaders, including Lord Carrington himself in later years!

We lived those years when the "queen of Malta" paid a state-visit to Malta in 1967. (No, there wasn't yet anything like "queen of Gozo" - haha).

We still remember the times when communications, air transport, banking and broadcasting were still in the hands of those who granted the independence documents to Dr Borg Olivier who had to be later ousted most uncerimoniously (to be charitable) by his own party leaders.

We lived the years when the qp71 Labour government obliged the British colonial government to hand on sufficient millions each year to help Malta grow out of needing their forces on what was only a military base!

Mr Ch Camilleri reminds me of the many attempts, particularly since 1987, to re-write history by self-declared historians through partisan productions for party channels.

History, the real one, the one our people lived, is made up of stark facts. Definitely not emotions or, worse still, twisting facts!

LONG LIVE FREE MALTA, for as long it can be allowed to stay free!

Charles Camilleri

Mar 30th 2008, 16:59

Freedom day could only come about because Dr. B.Olivier obtained independence for Malta. After all it was Mintoff who extended the presence of the British forces in Malta after the time set by Borg Olivier. The real freedom day is Independence day when Malta became free to take its own decision
including renegotiating the time when the british forces leave our island.

ALBERT FENECH

Mar 30th 2008, 13:14

I remember 31st March 1979 well. It was a rainy and stormy cold day, with torrents of water pouring down from dawn to dusk. In the evening it eased up a bit and I went off to Cottonera with my friends to celebrate the great occasion and take part in the massive parade. Fittingly enough it was, yes, held in the Cottonera area where Cospicua was the home town of the then PM Dom Mintoff. He may have besmirched his copybook in later years, but these islands have a lot to be grateful for because Dominic Mintoff is veritably the Father and Saviour of the Maltese Nation and he achieved all he did achieve in the face of constant and spiteful insult and attack by the Nationalist Party, the Church, foreign governments and press media such as "The Times". A prayer for you on this day Dom. You made Malta what it is and those of us who are really Maltese will eternally be grateful. This was surely your greatest moment Mr. Mintoff - a free Malta after centuries of colonial rule. I record this for all those who have conveniently forgotten where our roots lie and in tribute to the Malta Labour Party/General Workers' Union which have always carried forward their motto of "Malta l-ewwel u qabel kollox"! All the anti-MLP/GWU lackies can insult us until they are blue in the face. But you will never, ever conquer our spirit and our burning torch for social reform and social equality for the people of Malta.